K The Michigan Daily-Friday, March 29, 1991 - Page 3 Fine to stay due *to amendment of retirement clause Fire destroys U.S. enm by Marc Ciagne Daily Staff Reporter In September, hundreds of stu- dents battled for spots in Professor Sidney Fine's American History class due to speculation that it *would be his last semester teaching. Former doctoral students planned a retirement party in May to honor Fine. The party will have to wait though, and no one could be happier tan the 70-year old Fine, who has taught at the University for 43 years and isn't quite ready to go Anywhere... yet. "I've often said I would have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the classroom. I love what I'm doing. I did not want to retire," Fine said. Y. Governor John Engler is ex- pected to sign an amendment to the Eiot Larson Civil Rights Act in the next few weeks prohibiting higher education institutions from forcing tenured University faculty to retire at 70. Retirement is cur- rdntly mandatory for University faculty on indefinite tenure when they reach this age. "A special University provision would have allowed Finetovteach next year with Professor Emeritus status but not as a faculty member. The new amendment assures faculty status for Fine and other tenured University employees for as long as they want to teach. g"I want to teach as long as I can give 100 percent service in every as- pect of teaching. I would never want to feel as if I wasn't giving my best. I would hope I could recognize the difference," Fine said. . tudents in his class are really motivated to do well and learn the material and that's a reflection of him' -Sarah Filmanowicz LSA junior Why are Fine and his classes so popular among University stu- dents? "Because he's a legend on this campus. People are both intimidated by his class and they love it," said LSA junior Sarah Filmanowicz, one of the students enrolled in Fine's History 467 class this semester. Communication major Andrew Berryhill said he took Fine's course this semester because he heard it was 'I've often said I would have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the classroom. I love what I'm doing. I did not want to retire' -Sidney Fine Professor of American History a "don't miss" class. "I've heard people talk about this class for the last two or three years," he said, adding the class has definitely met his expectations. "He loves what he does. He's been around long enough to see things happen. He's not only some- one who was there, but he's a histo- rian who was there. He's quite a re- source. Losing someone like Sidney Fine would be a mistake, obvi- ously," Berryhill said. "Students in his class are really motivated to do well and learn the material, and that's a reflection of him," Filmanowicz said. She said she thinks people take Fine's class more seriously because of its pres- tige. Fine said he thinks it is impera- tive that people choose professions which truly appeal to them. "If you're going to live for your vaca- tions in a nine-to-five job, you're not going to enjoy your life." "Students can always sense whether or not (professors) enjoy teaching the course," he said. Fine holds at least five office hours a week and said he is always willing to meet with students whenever possible. He said he be- lieves accessibility makes a big dif- ference to students. "They're proba- bly gathering out there right now." MOSCOW (AP) - A fire that ravaged the U.S. Embassy yesterday knocked out America's most impor- tant listening post in the Soviet Union at a time of domestic up- heaval and sensitive arms talks. The fire in the 10-story building, which forced more than 200 em- ployees to flee, was caused by weld- ing sparks in an elevator shaft under renovation, the official Tass news agency reported. Flames swept to the attic and badly damaged the an- tenna-covered roof. The six-hour fire destroyed areas that house the building's sensitive communication links. The building is on busy Tchaikovsky Street, less than a mile from the Kremlin, the nerve center of Soviet power. A U.S. source in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 80 percent of the embassy's ca- pabilities were destroyed and that virtually all secure communications had been halted. The United States has plenty of use for its eyes and ears in Moscow at a time when the Soviet Union is struggling with economic strife, ethnic clashes, and political dog- fights between reformers and or- thodox Communists. In addition, Washington is try- ing to negotiate a strategic arms treaty and a conventional arms deal with Moscow. Those talks are hold- ing up a Moscow summit between President Bush and President Mikhail Gorbachev. The embassy has been rented by the U.S. government since 1953. A new embassy complex less than a block away has not been com- pletely occupied because the Soviets laced its main office building with electronic listening devices during construction. The State Department has pro- posed a $200 million job to remove ibassy the top floor of the new building to remove the bugging devices. Three new floors would be added for top- security operations. The blaze yesterday caused no se- rious injuries, U.S. and Soviet offi- cials said. A Marine, an American construction worker, and a Soviet firefighter were treated for smoke inhalation, U.S. State Department spokesperson Richard Boucher said in Washington. The fire was reported at 10:22 a.m. At one point, 180 Soviet fire- fighters were on the scene. Marine guards accompanied the firefighters to some areas, embassy spokesperson James Bullock said. At one point,180 Soviet firefighters were on the scene. Marine guards accompanied the firefighters to some areas Bullock said the most heavily damaged section of the embassy was its center, where the roof caved in. The roof protected areas where the embassy's most secret business was conducted. That section is out of commissionfor "the indefinite fu- ture," Bullock said. He denied a report by Tass that U.S. officials had refused to allow Soviet firefighters into the building for 40 minutes. Soviets have been barred from most sections of the embassy for more than four years, and Americans did the renovation. The fire sent diplomats scram- bling for new offices and in a few cases, new apartments, as they struggled with the crowded U.S.- Soviet agenda. However, Bullock said a residential wing of the em- bassy had been largely spared. ROB KROENERT/D Sidney Fine points out an unsuspecting student at MLB auditorium 4 while lecturing before handing out a test. Engler expected to sign civil rights bill by Bethany Robertson Daily Government Reporter The mind isn't the first thing to go. That's the conclusion state legis- lators reached after passing a bill that eliminates mandatory retire- ment for tenured university profes- sors over the age of 70. The bill, introduced in the Senate in early February, passed quickly through the Legislature and now awaits Gov. John Engler's signature. Current federal law prevents age discrimination for all professionals except fire fighters, police officers, and tenured professors. In 1994, professors will be included under this same policy. Although the new federal law will take effect in three years, Michigan lawmakers realized there were several professors who would be forced to retire before that time. "We had a significant number of eminent faculty members who wished to continue teaching, but would have had to retire," said the bill's sponsor, State Sen. John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek). University History Prof. Sidney Fine, 70, was one professor facing retirement at the end of the year. "Prof. Fine is the perfect exam- ple of an active, respected faculty member ... who would have been forced into retirement had this bill not passed," said Schwarz, a former student of Fine's. "I would suggest that Prof. Fine was was one of the main reasons it went through as quickly as it did," said Keith Molin, associate vice president for University govern- ment relations. Tenured or contracted professors were not originally included in the "The feds were convinced that it, federal non-discrimination policy due to fears that older professors might glut the system, Schwarz said. may not be a wise decision because it would be a disincentive to younger faculty members to stay at universi- ties where there was no mandatory retirement age," Schwarz said. If signed by the governor, the state legislation would give profes- sors the opportunity to teach for as long as they wish. Biology Department Chair Charles Yocum said he did not think too many University professors would take' advantage of the bill. "I think a lot of faculty mem- bers are sufficiently conscientious to recognize the fact that they need to retire," Yocum said. "Perhaps the big impact may be in the way the University plans to hire new fac- ulty members." Yocum explained that if the University has to continue to pay older professors, there may not be as many opportunities to hire new fac- ulty members. But he said he did not think enough professors would con- tinue to work past age 70 to create a problem. The bill is now being examined by the state's clerk office, but Engler Press Secretary John Truscott said he expects the gover- nor to approve the legislation. Truscott explained the need for legislation to prevent age discrimi- nation. "There are some professors near the mandatory age barrier that still have quite a bit to offer," Truscott said. Fine could not agree more. "I'm working my 70 hour week and enjoying 69 and 1/2, as I always have," Fine said. 4. aTHE LIST What's happening in Ann Arbor today Meetings Friday Ultimate Frisbee Club, weekly mtg. Practice football field, 11 p.m. Sunday UMAASC Steering Committee, weekly mtg. Union, rm 4202, 1 p.m. Feminist Women's Union, weekly meeting. Call 662-1958 for info. jnion, 4:00. U-M Chess Club, weekly practice. Call Tony Palmer (663-7147) for info. League, 1:00. International Observer Magazine, open mtg. Union, Crowfoot Rm, 8 p.m. Speakers Friday "Assessing the Appropriateness of Improper Prior Distributions," Morris Easton of the University of Minnesota. 451 Mason, 4 p.m. "Trade Competition, Conflict and Political Transformations in 15th to 16th Century Philippine Chiefdoms," Laura Junker. 4560 LSA, 4 p.m. "Modeling Error Compensation for Adaptive and Nonadaptive Model Reference Control Designs," Jing Sun of Wayne State University. EECS 1200,4 p.m. Edward Rankus, visiting video festi- val artist. MLB Lec 1, 7 p.m. Furthermore Safewalk, nighttime safety walking service, from 8-11:30 Fri.-Sat., 8-1:30 Sun.-Thurs. Stop by 102 UGLi or call 936-1000. Also at the Angell Hall Computing Center, Sun-Thur, 1-3 a.m. Call 763-4246 or stop by the courtyard. Northwalk, North Campus nighttime U of M Taijiquan Club. Sat. and Sun., Cube, 8 a.m. Ann Arbor Pow Wow. Crisler Arena, Sat. 1 p.m. and 6:30, Sun. 1 p.m. Friday U of M Women's Rugby Club, Friday practice. Sports Coliseum, 8-10 p.m. U of M Ninjitsu Club. For infocall David Dow, 668-7478. IM bldg, wrestling rm, 7-9. U of M Shorin-Ryu Karate-do Club, Friday workout. Call 994-3620 for info. CCRB Martial Arts Rm., 6:30- 7:30. U of M Tae Kwon Do Club, Friday workout. CCRB Small Gym, 6-8:00. German Club Stammtisch, weekly event. Union, U-Club, 7-9. Clinic Defense. Meet at the Cube at 5:15 a.m. "The Politics of AIDS," conference. Hale Auditorium, 1-4. The Impact of East Asia of American Culture, conference. Lane Hall Commons, 9-4. "Indigenous Struggles," Native American Law Days. Hutchins Hall, rm 250, 2-5. "Nine and A Half Weeks," film. International Center, 7 p.m. Stress and Times Mangement Consultations with peer counselors. Mondays 1-4, Thursdays 10-2, and Fridays 1-4. 3100 Michigan Union or call 764-8312. Saturday U of M Shotokan Karate Club, Sat- urday practice. CCRB Small Gym, 3- 5:00. Sunday Sunday Social, weekly event for in- ternational and American students. International Center, 603 E.Madison, 6:30-8:30. Five 'U' profs. honored for work by Garrick Wang Daily Staff Reporter Five University faculty mem- bers have been selected as Arthur F. Thurnau professors in recognition of their excellence in undergraduate education, but their job has just be- gun. "What I like about this profes- sorship is that it says essentially, 'We observe that you're doing your best; now go out and get better,"' said Associate English Prof. Ralph Williams, an award recipient. "I'm deeply gratified to have been honored in this way," Economics Prof. William Adams said. Williams, Adams, Associate Nursing Prof. Susan Boehm, Associate Physics Prof. Jean Krisch, and Music Prof. Donald Sinta were formally recognized at the Honors Convocation last Sunday. The University appoints five faculty members as Thurnau profes- sors each year. Their three-year ap- pointments are not renewable. The Thurnau Professorship was estab- lished in honor of Arthur Thurnau, a University student from 1902-1904. Thurnau stipulated in his will that the University establish a trust fund in his honor to support the teaching activities of undergraduate professors. Each Thurnau professor receives a $20,000 grant which comes from the trust's accrued interest. In addi- tion, grants must be used during the appointment to purchase materials and equipment necessary to enhance the professor's teaching. "This grant will allow me the opportunijy to contribute to the quality of education and the chance to add to one's knowledge," Williams said. The nomination process began Cartoons! Cartoons! Cartoons! Weekend is looking for a cartoonist who is ready to begin work next term. Call Gil at 764-0552. Religious Services CANTERBURY HOUSE (Episcopal Church at U-M) 218 N. Division (at Catherine) SUNDAY SCHEDULE Holy Eucharist-5 p.m. at St. Andrew's Supper-6 p.m. at Canterbury I louse The Rev. virginia Peacock, Ph.D., Chaplain Call 665-0606 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AMERICAN BAPTIST CAMPUS CENTER 502 E. Huron SUN.: Worship-9:55 a.m. WED. Supper & Fellowship-5:30 p.m. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1432 Washtenaw Ave. (Between Hill & South University) SUNDAYS Worship-9:30 & 11 a.m. Campus Faith Exploration Group-9:30 THURSDAYS: Campus Worship & Dinner--5:30 p.m. For information, call 662-4466 Amy Morrison, Campus Pastor LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY LORD OF LIGHT LOTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA 801 South Forest (at Hill Street), 668-7622 SUNDAY: Worship-10 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Worship-7:30 p.m. Campus Pastor John Rollefson ST. MARY'S STUDENT PARISH (A Roman Catholic Community at U-M) 331 Thompson Street SAL: Weekend Liturgies-5 p.m., and SUN.:-8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon, and 5 p.m. M.: Confessions-4-5 p.m. 51N. March 31: Easter Mass-:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 12noon ED. April 3: Bishop Gumbleton-7 p.m. St., April 6: Allegro Coffee House- 8-10:30 am. UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHAPEL 1511 Washtenaw FRIDAY, March 29: Crucifixion Story Read-12 noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Tenebrea Service-7:30 p.m. SATURDAY.,March 30: EasterVigil-11 p.m SUNDAY, March 31: Bre..kfast-9 p.m. Festival of the Ressurection Service-10:30 a.m. nFl~...Fri. ~e.GZKKtL.re UPSA to hold AIDS conference today by Chris Afendulis Daily Staff Reporter The political implications of the AIDS epidemic will be explored tomorrow in the annual Undergrad- uate Political Science Association (UPSA) Conference. The conference, which will be held from 1-4 p.m. in the Business School's Hale Auditorium, will feature national and local experts on AIDS policy. LSA senior and UPSA Confer- ence committee chair Gretchen Kline said the group chose this year's topic because of the lack of discussion of the issue's policy as- pects. "With the AIDS epidemic, what's really been ignored are... what legislators and the executive branch are doing," she said. Dr. Rna~ld St.iJhn. the Depunity Donna Pressman, - advisor and chair, respectively, of the National Task-Force on Children and HIV Infection - and Cathy Cohen of the University's Department of Politi- cal Science will discuss how the dis- ease affects women, children, and minorities. The second panel will explore how the disease fits into the public health policy agenda. The partici- pants include: David Hansell, deputy executive director for Policy of the Gay Men's Health Crisis, New York; Dr. Dawn Smith, re- search fellow at the School of Pub- lic Health; and Randy Pope, chief of the Special Office on AIDS Preven- tion for the Michigan Department of Public Health. Kline said the conference's